The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated 13 miles of stream in the Turkey Creek watershed around Pinson as critical habitat for the endangered vermilion darter, a small, brightly colored fish known to occur only in Jefferson County.

The designation means that federal projects in the area must be reviewed to ensure they don't damage the habitat. Projects on private property that don't need a federal permit are not affected.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper Nelson Brooke said the new designation expands protected darter habitat from the current 7.2 miles.

"This is a great step towards protection of potential habitat for the darter within Turkey Creek," Brooke said. "Now, we just need to make significant strides towards curbing stormwater runoff pollution coming into the creek."